nightmare / incubus
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nightmare / incubus
An outdated or literary term for a nightmare or for the mythical creature that was believed to cause bad dreams by sitting on the sleeper's chest.
Er erwachte schweißgebadet, als hätte ihn ein Alp im Schlaf gequält.
He awoke drenched in sweat, as if an incubus had tormented him in his sleep.
The word 'Alp' is the historical root of the much more commonly used word 'Albtraum' (nightmare) today. It originally referred to the demon that was believed to cause bad dreams.
In alten Sagen wird der Alp als ein Wesen beschrieben, das den Schlafenden quält.
In old legends, the Alp is described as a being that torments sleepers.
Careful: 'der Alp' is not the same as the English word 'alp', which describes a mountain. The German word 'der Alp' always refers to a nightmare or an oppressive feeling.
Nach dem schrecklichen Traum fühlte er sich, als hätte ein Alp auf ihm gelegen.
After the terrible dream, he felt as if an incubus had been lying on him.
The figurative meaning is almost always used in the fixed expression 'etwas liegt wie ein Alp auf jemandem' (something weighs on someone like a burden). The person who feels the burden is in the dative.
Die Verantwortung für die Firma lag wie ein Alp auf seinen Schultern.
The responsibility for the company weighed on his shoulders like a burden.
The literal meaning of 'Alp' as a nightmare or mythical creature is outdated today and is used almost only in literary, poetic, or historical contexts.
In dem Gedicht wird die Nacht von einem Alp heimgesucht.
In the poem, the night is haunted by an incubus.
burden / load
'die Last' and 'der Alp' can both describe a heavy inner feeling. 'Last' is the normal, neutral word for worries, responsibility, or emotional pressure. 'Alp', by contrast, is outdated or literary and sounds very figurative. It refers to an oppressive feeling that weighs on someone like a pressure. In everyday life, people almost always say 'Last'. 'Alp' fits better in literary texts or in a very expressive description.
Die Angst vor dem Prozess lag wie ein Alp auf der ganzen Familie.
The fear of the trial weighed on the whole family like a burden.
Nach dem Gespräch mit dem Arzt ist eine große Last von ihr abgefallen.
After the conversation with the doctor, a great burden was lifted from her.